Harper Lin
Golf scoring can be confusing, especially for beginners. The aim of the game is to get the lowest score, with each hole on a golf course having a predetermined number of strokes, known as par, that a golfer should ideally take to complete the hole. For example, a Par 4 means a skilled golfer should be able to get their ball in the hole in 4 strokes. If you take more strokes than par, you get positive points, and if you get fewer strokes than par, you get negative points. Players can also receive penalty strokes for various reasons, such as an out of bounds shot or a water hazard, which adds an extra stroke to their score. The overall score in golf is calculated by summing up the scores of all the holes played during a round, and the player with the lowest score at the end wins.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is a Par? | Par is the target score for a hole. Generally, par is set based on the length and difficulty of the hole, with par 3 for shorter holes, par 4 for medium-length holes, and par 5 for longer holes. |
| How are scores calculated? | Scores can be calculated by totalling the number of strokes taken. Alternatively, scores can be expressed as the number of shots over or under par. |
| What are handicaps? | Handicaps are used to make the game fairer by adding points to a player's score at the start of the game. |
| What are penalty strokes? | Penalty strokes are additional strokes added to a player's score due to various reasons such as an out-of-bounds shot, a water hazard, or a lost ball. |
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What You'll Learn
'Par' is the target score for a hole
Par is the predetermined number of strokes that a "scratch golfer" or expert player is expected to make to complete a hole. It is the target score for a hole and serves as a benchmark for players to strive towards. Each hole on a golf course has a designated par, typically ranging from 3 to 5, but occasionally going up to 6 or 7. Par-3s are shorter holes, Par-4s are medium-length holes, and Par-5s are longer holes. The distance or "effective distance" of a hole, which takes into account factors like uphill or downhill elevation, is the primary factor in determining its par rating. Other factors include altitude, terrain, and obstacles that affect the hole's playing length.
When a player takes more strokes than the par for a hole, they receive positive points, and when they take fewer strokes, they receive negative points. The goal is to have the lowest points at the end, which translates to the lowest total score for the round. Players can also achieve special scores relative to par, such as "birdie" (one stroke less than par) or "eagle" (two strokes less than par). These terms are just nicknames for specific numbers of strokes under par.
In addition to the individual hole pars, a golf course also has an overall "course par," which is the sum of the pars of all the holes. Most standard courses have a course par of around 72. This is used as a reference point for players' total scores, with scores under the course par considered good. For example, a player who takes 75 strokes to complete a course with a par of 72 would have a score of +3 or "three-over-par."
While the total stroke count is a common way to determine the winner of a golf match, another scoring system is "Match Play." In this system, players compete to win each hole, and the winner of the most holes wins the round. This system focuses on the number of holes won rather than the total stroke count.
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The lowest score wins
Golf is a unique sport in that the lowest score wins. Each hole on a golf course has a predetermined number of strokes, known as "par", that a golfer should ideally take to complete the hole. The par for a hole is based on its length and difficulty, with shorter holes assigned a par of 3, medium-length holes a par of 4, and longer holes a par of 5.
When playing a round of golf, the goal is to complete each hole in the fewest strokes possible, either matching or beating the par for that hole. For example, if a golfer shoots a 3 on a Par 3 hole, they have achieved par for that hole. However, if they take 4 strokes on a Par 3 hole, they have scored one stroke over par, earning a positive point. On the other hand, if they complete the hole in only 2 strokes, they have scored one stroke under par, earning a negative point.
At the end of the round, the golfer calculates their total score by summing up the scores for each hole. The golfer with the lowest total score for the round is declared the winner. In professional golf tournaments, players often compete over multiple rounds, and the cumulative score across all rounds determines the ultimate champion.
It's important to note that golf courses also have penalties that can affect a player's score. For instance, if a player's ball goes out of bounds or into a water hazard, they must take an additional shot, adding a penalty stroke to their score. Similarly, if a player loses their ball, they must return to the previous position and re-hit, incurring an extra stroke. These penalty strokes can significantly impact the final scores, so golfers must carefully navigate the challenges presented by the course.
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Handicap makes the game fairer
Golf handicaps are numerical measures of a golfer's ability, or potential ability, that enable players of different skill levels to compete against one another on a level playing field. The lower the handicap, the better the player.
The concept of handicaps in golf is almost as old as the game itself. In the mid-1800s in Scotland, it was a matter of matching the lesser player against the more accomplished player. The terms "third-one" or "half-one" were used, meaning that the lesser player would get a stroke every three or two holes, respectively. By the late 1800s, golfers started getting handicaps for tournaments. One method involved computing the average of the best three scores of the year and subtracting par from that average.
The first national handicap system was introduced in 1911, based on the British three-score average system. A "par rating" system assessed the average good score of a scratch golfer on every course, making the handicap more portable and reflecting the player's potential rather than average play. The USGA Handicap System has been further refined over the years, with an increase in the number of scores used for handicap calculations, the introduction of Equitable Stroke Control, and improvements to the course rating system. The most significant change was the creation of the slope rating system, which enabled handicaps to account for differences in difficulty between scratch and bogey golfers.
In 2020, a new World Handicap System (WHS) was introduced globally to standardize the various handicapping systems being used by different countries. The WHS allows golfers to post scores from anywhere and uses the average of the best eight differentials over the player's past 20 rounds. This system is designed to enable golfers of different abilities to compete against each other, making the game fairer.
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Penalty strokes
In golf, a penalty or penalty stroke is an additional stroke or strokes added to a player's score for breaking the rules. In match play, the usual penalty is the loss of the hole, except for penalties assessed for relief from a hazard or a lost ball.
- Hitting the ball into a hazard, out-of-bounds, or an area where it becomes lost. In these cases, a substitute ball is played at a one-stroke penalty.
- Hitting the wrong ball, such as another player's ball or an abandoned ball. This incurs a two-stroke penalty.
- Interfering with a moving ball. Players who deliberately interfere with a moving ball receive a two-stroke penalty.
- Playing a ball out-of-turn or while someone else's ball is in motion. This results in a one-stroke penalty.
- Causing the ball to move after taking a stance and addressing it. The player incurs a one-stroke penalty, and the ball must be replaced in its original position.
- Removing loose impediments from anywhere on the course other than the putting green, causing the ball to move more than a club's length. This incurs a one-stroke penalty, and the ball must be returned to its original spot.
- Anchoring the club, or stabilising the putter against the body during the putting stroke. This carries a two-stroke penalty.
- Touching the sand in a bunker with a hand, club, or any other object before making a stroke.
- Equipment violations, such as having too many clubs (more than 14) in a bag or using illegal balls or clubs. In match play, one hole is subtracted from the offending player's score, while in stroke play, the player adds two strokes to their score.
It is important to note that penalty strokes are not counted as part of the player's score on a hole but are added to it. For example, if a player hits their ball out-of-bounds and then re-tees, the act of putting the new ball in play is considered the second stroke.
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Scoring systems: Stroke Play and Match Play
Golf scoring can be calculated in two ways: Stroke Play and Match Play.
Stroke Play
Stroke play is the most common scoring system in golf, used in most professional golf tournaments across the PGA Tour. Here, each stroke a golfer makes is counted and totalled at the end of the round. The player with the fewest strokes at the end of the round wins.
Stroke play requires consistent performance throughout the round. Players must focus on minimising their stroke count rather than simply outdoing their opponent. This often means playing more conservatively and strategically, as each shot affects the total score, regardless of the competitor's performance.
Match Play
Match play focuses on winning individual holes against opponents. Each hole is a separate competition, and the winner of each hole earns a point. The player with the most points at the end of the round is the winner. If a player is ""up" more holes than there are holes remaining, they are declared the winner. For example, if Player A is 7-up with six holes left to play, Player A wins.
Match play encourages a more aggressive approach. Players can take risks to gain an advantage on individual holes without worrying about their overall stroke count. Concessions are also allowed in match play, meaning a player can concede a hole, a stroke, or the match to their opponent.
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Frequently asked questions
The overall aim of the game is to get the lowest score.
Par is the target score for a hole. It represents the number of strokes in which an expert player should complete the hole. Par is usually set based on the length and difficulty of the hole, with par 3 for shorter holes, par 4 for medium-length holes, and par 5 for longer holes.
A handicap adds points to a player's score at the beginning of the game to make the game fairer.
Birdies and eagles are nicknames for a certain number of strokes.
Penalty strokes are additional strokes added to a player's score as a punishment for certain actions, such as hitting the ball out of bounds or into a water hazard.
